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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III

66 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand

66
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand

22 November 1941

My telegram of 20 November. Japan.

1. In a further telegram His Majesty's Minister, Washington, says that he should have added to his report that:

‘(a)

When the Secretary of State informed the Japanese representatives that the United States Government required the withdrawal of Japanese troops from China, Kurusu advanced the need to retain a certain number of garrisons. This idea Mr Hull rejected out of hand.

‘(b)

The Secretary of State said that as far as he was aware Kurusu had brought no message for the President and had no special instructions.’

2. Sir R. Campbell further understands that the Secretary of State gave the Australian Minister a similar account of the conversations with the Japanese and said that he had maintained a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude. He added that he had made it clear to the Japanese that no ‘arrangement’ that might be possible between Japan and the United States would have much lasting value unless at the same time Japan turns away from the Axis connection and aggressive ambitions. The Secretary of State went on to say that he would regard Kurusu's proposition (evacuation of Indo-China in exchange for limited supplies for Japan) merely as a ‘truce’. If the Japanese Government show signs of agreement with such a proposal it might be useful as giving us all some more time.